A Maryland Mystery
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 11:33 pm
Beginning around 1940, a hand full of electric sirens began to crop up around Maryland. Prime examples of thes sirens are Easton, MD, Odenton, MD, and Boonton, TWP, NJ.
Photos of Odenton, MD pictured here
Until recently, some of us thought that these sirens may be some variation of the Federal Type B, a knock off Sterling, or some other common pre WW2 era manufacturer.
However, recently a Facebook user Christian Lindberg was able to aquire the Boonton, New Jersey unit, and posted some quality photos of the unit to the Siren Enthusiasts Facebook page. With his permission I am sharing the photos at the bottom of this post.
We now know that these sirens are quite different from any known manufacturer of the time. They are 12/12 port, and powered by 5hp Delta Electric motors.
From extensive research I have a hunch that these sirens are a product of the Baltimore Automatic Fire Alarm Company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore Automatic Fire Alarm Co also seems to be atleast loosely affiliated with Black and Decker Mfg Co, also headquartered in Baltimore.
So that begs the question. Where did these sirens come from? Are they a product of the Baltimore Automatic Fire Alarm Co? Or perhaps they are a product of another little known North Eastern company. Perhaps someday soon we will know the answer.
Photos courtesy Christian Lindberg
The siren's tag is completely illegible
Motor Tag, Delta Electric, 5Hp.
Photos of Odenton, MD pictured here
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However, recently a Facebook user Christian Lindberg was able to aquire the Boonton, New Jersey unit, and posted some quality photos of the unit to the Siren Enthusiasts Facebook page. With his permission I am sharing the photos at the bottom of this post.
We now know that these sirens are quite different from any known manufacturer of the time. They are 12/12 port, and powered by 5hp Delta Electric motors.
From extensive research I have a hunch that these sirens are a product of the Baltimore Automatic Fire Alarm Company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore Automatic Fire Alarm Co also seems to be atleast loosely affiliated with Black and Decker Mfg Co, also headquartered in Baltimore.
So that begs the question. Where did these sirens come from? Are they a product of the Baltimore Automatic Fire Alarm Co? Or perhaps they are a product of another little known North Eastern company. Perhaps someday soon we will know the answer.
Photos courtesy Christian Lindberg
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Motor Tag, Delta Electric, 5Hp.
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